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Rachel Baldwin

Staff Writer

WILLIAMSON — The Mingo County Health Department will conduct a special clinic for Shingles vaccine (Zostavax) on Friday, April 26, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. for WV residents who are 60 years of age or older and who do not have insurance or other means to pay for the vaccine. The vaccines will be given on a first come, first serve basis.

Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, therefore, if you have ever had chickenpox, the virus is already in you. The shingles virus forms where the nerves from the spinal cord connect with the skin. It can be very painful and can cause serious complications.

One of every three persons will get shingles sometime in their lives. There are more than one million cases of shingles each year in the U.S. One in every four people who get shingles will experience some form of a complication.

The goal of the Mingo County Health Department is to educate people about the shingles virus and to prevent the disease from occurring by vaccinating with the Zostavax vaccine. Please note that at this time, the health department will only administer the vaccines to those above the age of 60 who do not have the means to pay for the shot.

For more information, you may call 304-235-3570 or visit the Mingo County Health Department located on the 2nd floor of the Annex Building on Logan Street in Williamson.